What are you reading at the moment?

Tell us about the book which you're enjoying. Why is it so enjoyable? We all like different things so your impression of a book is helpful.

I added many of the books, which were recommended on the previous thread, to my reading list, based on the poster's comments.

I've been having a crime-fest. The most recent are ...

Scent of a Killer by Kevin Lewis - I don't really like Brit-cop books - too depressing - and this was no exception. (What is it with British cops?) However, apart from some mistakes which should never have got past a decent editor, it was very readable with a good, if meandery, storyline.

The HIdden Man by David Ellis - This author has been likened to John Grisham crossed with Harlen Coben. Being a fan of both, I poo-pooed this idea. That was, until I read the book. How wrong I was! It is a gripping, fast read and deserves the comparison.

Re: What are you reading at the moment?

After just finishing the Games of Thrones books, which I would recommend to anyone. They are fantasy but the fantastical elements are pretty minimal, they read much more like a cracking political thriller combined with a historical epic.

I decided to go with some more political intrigue but in a historical setting this time and I'm about half way through I Claudius which I'm really enjoying as well.

I've also got Thunder and Ashes by Z A Recht on the go. It's a good fun Zombie thriller, not particulary well written and full of gaping plot holes but fun none the less.

Re: What are you reading at the moment?

I am reading Diana Gabaldons, Through the stones, for the 3rd. time.. there is; time travel,history,romance, a hunky Highlander,red indians,murder and mayhem...lol.. set firstly in 1945,jump to the Jacobean uprising... (won't tell you how.) best series of books i have ever read....

Re: What are you reading at the moment?

Oh I love Fluke! It's so different to his usual stuff. Had it been published under a nom de plume I'm sure it would have been a very popular book for readers of animal stories.

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It didn't really go in the recycle bin. I read a few pages and relegated it to the boot-sale pile in the spare bedroom! Maybe I should give it another go.

But I do find Herbert very skimmable - so much unnecessary bumph. 'Others' was a good story but, for me, it could have been told in half the time. At 500 pages there was far too much self-indulgent padding.

Spurred on by the release of the film, I'm about to start reading 'Life of Pi'.

Re: What are you reading at the moment?

But I do find Herbert very skimmable - so much unnecessary bumph. 'Others' was a good story but, for me, it could have been told in half the time. At 500 pages there was far too much self-indulgent padding.

I think they all do it! With rare exceptions, if you take any popular author's output and stack them in size order, you'll find they're also (mostly) in copyright date order. In SF Asimov, Clarke and Heinlein all did it, and more recently Peter Hamilton. In horror James Herbert, Shaun Hutson and Stephen King. In crime fiction Patricia Cornwell and Sue Grafton. The worst culprit in my view is Stephen King. Why use a short paragraph when 3 pages will up the word count?!

Re: What are you reading at the moment?

Gosh, Bernie (if you're not Bernie, I apologise), that has really got me thinking. I used to read every word of every book, only skimming in recent years with the realisation that, at my age, you can't waste time reading boring padding.

But sometimes the padding is worth reading. I really enjoy Dean Koontz's narrative style - he draws wonderful pictures. Maybe I've missed some of his more recent offerings, apart from the Odd Thomas books.

As for the SF authors - I read every word and didn't feel cheated but I gave up on Stephen King a long time ago.

I am now going to restack my library, by author and then by size so that I can check the hypothesis. ;-)

Not visiting family until tomorrow so that's why I'm here on the boards on Christmas day!

I gave up on Stephen King a long time ago.

I'm glad I'm not the only one!

But sometimes the padding is worth reading. I really enjoy Dean Koontz's narrative style - he draws wonderful pictures. Maybe I've missed some of his more recent offerings, apart from the Odd Thomas books.

On reflection, I think I probably did him a disservice. Yes his output did get bigger and bigger, but I agree with the wonderful pictures. My favourite at the moment is From the Corner of His Eye (2000), and that's REALLY wordy!

I am now going to restack my library, by author

Oh I'm so jealous, I wish my library was still on shelves! If it's not in author order already then what order is it in? Mine was in author order and I can't imagine any other way of doing it. When I packed up for the boat I randomised it, which means it's an adventure every time I open a box :-) But it also means I haven't a clue where anything actually IS unless it's been listed already :-(

I was joking about restacking my library - but I think it would be a futile exercise with my books. Only Anne McCaffrey and her ilk, who don't pad out their books, and those 'horror' writers we have mentioned, are present in enough quantity to test the hypothesis. I don't think Georgette Heyer and Mary Stewart count - where did writers of that ilk go?

However, Mr Bee's library has many of just one author - Tom Clancy. When I get around to it I'll pull all 22 from the shelves and check the page length.

I am intrigued by the Life of Pi - it's much better than I expected from Man Booker winner.

I forgot to say that I thoroughly enjoyed A Streetcat Named Bob, which enjoyed media fame because it was PC to like it. It is an interesting tale, well told by a ghost writer (who gets credit - how refreshing), about a street busker who is adopted by a remarkable cat.

Re: What are you reading at the moment?

Have just finished Morgue Drawer Four by Jutta Profijit and started the second in the series Morgue Drawer Next Door, mystery stories with a slight difference - guess a bit like the old tv series Randall and Hopkirk idea.